MP Paul Burstow urges care home abuse penalties for owners

Companies who own care homes in England where abuse is carried out should face unlimited fines and criminal sanctions, a former minister has said.

Lib Dem MP Paul Burstow has argued for new laws to ensure care providers are held criminally accountable for abuse and neglect on their premises.

This would have tackled a "culture of cruelty" at the Winterbourne View hospital, near Bristol, he added.

Ministers said there was a "clear gap" in regulation to be addressed.

Mr Burstow, who was care services minister until leaving the government in September, outlined proposed legislation in the Commons, which he said would see justice for future victims of abuse and their families.